The Polls are Open!
Early Voting Starts October 14th through October 29th
Election Day is November 3rd
Show your support to Matt Day for District 71 at the secure link below
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/matt-day-1
A fresh voice for Tennessee State House District 71
Matt grew up attending Tennessee's public schools and later studied at Columbia State Community College in Maury County before earning his Master of Accountancy from Middle Tennessee State University. He has lived in Middle Tennessee his entire life, and moved into House District 71 four years ago, where he and his wife, Sarahy, have put down roots.
Matt and Sarahy share their home with two rescue dogs, Lacy and Torito — both pitbull/Australian shepherd mixes. When he's not working or campaigning, Matt is usually outdoors: turkey and deer hunting on public land around the Yanahli and Williamsport Wildlife Management Areas, fishing for bass and crappie on the Duck River, tending bees, or working the fruit trees and garden on his property.
Professional Experience
Matt built his career in accounting from the ground up, starting with an internship in commercial lease administration before moving into progressively more responsible accounting roles across a range of industries — restaurant, dental, insurance, and private equity — giving him a broad view of how businesses of very different kinds manage their finances.
He has managed lease accounting and real estate portfolios for a multi-unit restaurant company, ensuring accurate compliance with modern lease accounting standards. Today, he works as an Accounting Manager for a private equity firm, where he manages intercompany accounting and the monthly close process across a complex, multi-entity structure.
That background — reading contracts closely, managing complex multi-entity finances, and closing the books accurately every month — is the same discipline Matt wants to bring to the state budget in Nashville.
Why He's Running
Matt is running because working Tennesseans in House District 71 deserve a legislator who understands their household budgets the way he understands a balance sheet — someone who will fight for their paychecks, their communities, and their future.
His campaign, "A New Day for Tennessee," is built around a platform to:
• Protect our public schools, by opposing the school voucher program that diverts public dollars away from public education.
• Raise the minimum wage, so that work in Tennessee pays enough to live on.
• Oppose large-scale data center development in the district, protecting local land, water, and infrastructure from being sacrificed to out-of-state corporate interests.
• Expand Medicaid/TennCare, closing the coverage gap and bringing federal health care dollars back to Tennessee families and hospitals.
District 71's campaign has earned endorsements from Harvesting Democracy PAC, TAPP, and UAW Region 8. Matt won his August 6 primary uncontested and faces incumbent Kip Capley in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Our campaign priorities
District 71 deserves energetic, pragmatic representation focused on real solutions. Discover the core pillars guiding Matt Day's vision for Tennessee.
Protect Our Public Schools
Oppose Private School Vouchers. Invest in Tennessee’s Public Schools.
Every Tennessee child deserves access to a strong public education, regardless of their ZIP code or family income.
Matt Day believes Tennessee’s education dollars should prioritize the public schools that serve our communities every day. He opposes the expansion of the state’s private school voucher program and supports redirecting funding toward strengthening public education.
Why Matt Opposes School Vouchers
Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship program allows eligible families to use state funds toward tuition and other approved educational expenses at participating private schools. For the 2026–2027 school year, the state scholarship amount is $7,530 per student.
Matt believes public funds should focus on improving the schools available to all Tennessee students, rather than expanding taxpayer-funded subsidies for private education.
His priorities include:
- Investing in public schools: Direct more education funding toward the classrooms and school districts that serve Tennessee communities.
- Supporting teachers: Strengthen teacher recruitment and retention through competitive compensation and the resources educators need to succeed.
- Improving classroom resources: Help schools provide updated instructional materials, technology, and other essential tools.
- Supporting every student: Prioritize access to quality education for students with different learning needs, abilities, and family circumstances.
- Accountability for taxpayer dollars: Ensure education spending is transparent and focused on measurable benefits for Tennessee students.
Keep Healthcare Affordable
Expand Medicaid, Tennessee is one of the last states to do so. States that have expanded have had success keeping rural hospitals open and keeping healthcare affordable.
Reduce Taxes for Working Families
Matt Day believes it is time to put Tennessee families first by working to eliminate the state grocery tax. From working parents and young families to seniors living on a fixed income, everyone deserves a little more breathing room when it comes to their grocery bill.
Groceries are not a luxury. They are a necessity. With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, eliminating the grocery tax would be a meaningful step toward helping Tennessee families keep more of their hard-earned money.
As a candidate for Tennessee State House District 71, Matt Day is focused on practical solutions that put taxpayers first, ease the burden on working families, and make Tennessee more affordable for the people who call it home.
It is time to put Tennessee families first. It is time to give taxpayers a break. It is time to eliminate the grocery tax.
Meet Matt Day
Matt Day is dedicated to bringing people together to solve real problems. Rooted in community service and committed to honesty and transparency, Matt understands the unique opportunities and hurdles facing Tennessee District 71. He believes in responsive government that listens to its constituents first.
A campaign powered by neighbors
This movement is built on conversations at front doors, town halls, and local events. Every single volunteer and supporter helps bring genuine change to our state capitol.
"Matt Day genuinely listens to our concerns. He has the practical mindset and integrity we need representing us in Nashville."
Thomas Buchanan, campaign manager
"Matt would be a great representative for our county and we know he will fight for what's best"
Deqwan Lynch, local business owner
"From improving our schools to fighting for healthcare, Matt has consistently demonstrated that our community comes first."
Annie Sparkman, District 71 resident
Fuel the movement for District 71
Our campaign is powered entirely by grassroots neighbors and everyday working Tennesseans. Every contribution directly funds voter outreach, yard signs, community town halls, and our fight to protect public schools and lower costs across House District 71.
Stay informed and connected
Follow campaign milestones, press releases, upcoming community forums, and grassroots updates as we head toward election day.
Connect with the campaign
Campaign headquarters
Matt Day Campaign
Columbia, Tennessee, United States